Leshan Weather in August

The weather of Leshan in August is hot. Also, in the peak rainy season with frequent rainfall, the air is humid, intensifying the perceived temperature, making long-time outdoor exploration unbearable, especially during 10:00-16:00. Early mornings are cooler, and mountain areas like Mount Emei, also with lower temperatures, are perfect summer resorts. August is a busy month, with long queues in attractions and skyrocketing travel expenses, which is not a recommended time to visit Leshan. 

Leshan in August receives the highest rainfall throughout the year, with an average monthly precipitation of 298 mm from 22 rainy days. It’s no exaggeration to say that it rains almost every day this month, making rain gear necessary. 

The rainfall type includes thunderstorms, heavy rain, or even torrential rain, with maximum hourly rainfall rates reaching 40-70 mm/h, which can easily lead to urban flooding, flash floods, and geological disasters. Particularly, the first half of August is the period when heavy downpours and floods are most likely to occur. 

Precipitation in southern and central Leshan, including Mount Emei, is typically higher than in other regions. According to historical data, heavy rainfall tends to concentrate along the Mount Emei -Jiajiang - Leshan Downtown corridor. Visitors who want to hike on Mount Emei are supposed to pay special attention to the weather alerts before going. 

Plus, due to the roaring rainfall, the river levels also increase significantly, causing the temporary suspension of cruise service in the scenic area of Leshan Giant Buddha. 

Despite the high frequency and large amount of rainfall in August, heavy downpours won’t always last for too long. Sometimes the rain comes in brief showers. This is especially true in Mount Emei, where the complex terrain causes the weather to change rapidly. When it’s raining, you are advised to seek shelter and have a rest for a while. 
 Leshan’s climate in August is extremely hot, with daytime highs of 33-38°C (91-100°F). On rare occasions, the highest temperature can even exceed 40°C (104°F). Due to global warming, there has been a clear trend toward higher temperatures, with periods of 35°C (95°F) or higher often lasting 10-20 days. As soon as you step outside, a wave of heat hits you - it’s quite hot even when the sun isn’t there.  

Apart from high temperatures, Leshan has a high humidity level in August: 77%, influenced by the rainy season. Humid air would make the perceived temperature even higher than the actual temperature, making you feel like you're in a sauna. 

When it rains heavily, the temperature drops several degrees, with highs dropping to under 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). But the humidity level would also spike due to heavy downpours, soaring to over 85%. Therefore, the muggy feelings are still obvious. 

Luckily, with lows of 24-27 degrees Celsius (75-81 degrees Fahrenheit), early mornings are a bit cooler. 

Mount Emei, with an altitude of over 3,000 meters (9800 feet), is a perfect place for visitors to escape the summer heat. In the low-altitude area, such as Baoguo Temple, the weather is similar to that in the city center; the top of the mountain, like Golden Summit, is at least 10 °C (18°F) cooler than the downtown area, with daytime highs of 15-20°C (95°F). At night, low temperatures usually range from 10 to 12°C (59-68°F). Therefore, if you intend to conquer the mountain, it’s highly recommended to wear layers as the temperature difference is pretty huge. 
 Sunrise Time: 6:27-6:41
Sunset Time: 19:37-20:00

In the peak rainy season, Leshan experiences limited sunshine hours in August, about 4-5 hours per day. Therefore, the UV index fluctuates significantly, ranging generally from very low to very high. Radiation is pretty intense during midday sunny periods, and the maximum UV index can reach as high as 7. The UV rays are lighter on overcast days.  

The daytime periods are as long as about 13 hours. But if you want to catch a sunrise view at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, you need to plan your schedule wisely, as the sunrise is a bit early. Of course, you can start hiking from the foot of the mountain, which takes over 12 hours for the whole process. If you want to save energy, we recommend staying at a hotel in Leidongping, waking up at around 3:30, and going hiking for about 2-3 hours to the Golden Summit for the sunrise view. 

  Clothes: 
In the downtown area, visitors are advised to try this outfit: light and breathable short-sleeved shirts paired with shorts or skirts. Thin pants are more practical for mountainous areas, as there are active mosquitoes in a hot and humid environment. It’s best to pack a light jacket to handle the cool weather in the early morning and the intense sunshine during the day. 

A trip to Mount Emei requires more thorough preparation. It’s extremely essential to prepare a waterproof windbreaker with good support, as when it rains heavily and gets windy during your hiking, a flimsy raincoat won’t do you any good. Plus, prepare quick-dry base layers to stay warm. Alternatively, you can directly wear a 3-in-1 windbreaker on the summit. 

 Footwear: 
Frequent rainfall makes the steps and trails quite slippery, so you are advised to pack non-slip sneakers. 

 Accessories:
1. A raincoat or an umbrella is a must. 
2. Sun-protective items are unignorable: sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. 
3. Due to the prevalent mosquitoes, you are advised to pack mosquito repellent. 
 
Leshan’s climate in August feels quite hot and oppressive, intensified by the high humidity. Also, in the rainy season, Leshan receives frequent heavy rain and may experience floods and landslides, which would interrupt your outdoor travel plans, especially for mountain climbing. 

Despite these weather drawbacks, August, coinciding with the summer holiday in China, is a peak travel season. Leshan, well-known for the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, receives countless tourists. So it’s no surprise to find that there are extremely long queues in these attractions, and the hotel rooms, especially on Leidongping, are difficult to book. 

As mentioned before, August is not recommended for travelers. But if you are only available during this period, you can refer to the following travel tips for better experiences. 
 1. The secret to avoiding the big crowds is to get up early. Not only are there fewer people and shorter lines in the morning, but it’s also easier to take great photos. Plus, the temperature isn’t as high then. Don’t count on the crowds thinning out just because it’s raining. The previous travelers say that even in rain, you’ll still have to wait in line for an hour to see the Leshan Giant Buddha. So be sure to arrive early. For your information, the Leshan Giant Buddha opens at 7:30 and closes at 18:30 for day tours, and night tours run from 19:30 to 22:30. 
2. If you have difficulties getting up early, head there just before closing time to avoid the long lines. We recommend arriving at the Giant Buddha entrance around 17:00. Be sure to time it right, so you can admire the Buddha and touch its feet around 18:00, as the viewing platform at the Buddha’s feet closes at 19:00. Then, at 20:00, the Buddha is illuminated, offering a completely different view from daytime. Also, you don’t need to pay additionally for the night tour once entering with the day tour ticket. 
3. Due to the changeable weather on Mount Emei, catching a perfect sunrise view largely depends on luck. As long as there are no bad weather alerts and you are well-prepared, you can give it a try.